The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-07-14

circus vss che oi The must smentAbii
phenomcrs oi the season. A vhirlwint
81 monkeys. barns. pesnu,s aud elephant,
alled The air. edhies Of trained goats and
brick chimneys added horror 10 the scene
and the siination Was mol modified when
few minutes later, IL began 10 rain span
sled trousers and pink lemonade, followed
by hailstorm during which clowns, pa
ient mowers. brass band and seyerA
dozen irspeze performers we're seen des-
candipg with fearful velocity upon thu
doomed city A cyclone at all times 10
menace 10 the peace and dignity OF towr
ba, sben II draws up large and well fur
uished circus II Is armed with terrors moi
usually contemplated or provided for
President Cleveland and the g. A. n
President Cleveland has written long
letter 10 which be recedes from his ipten-
ton OF visiting st. Louis during the meet
ing OF the national cucampment Of the
Graud Army Of the Republic We have
40, room TO publish the letter IN full bul
bis man reasons for changing his mind
are as follows.
Immediately upon the public an
nonncement OF the conclusions to attend.
expressions enisnAting from certain i'm
portsnt member Of the Grand Army oil
the Republic. and increasing in volume
and yirulence, constrained me 10 review
the acceptance OF the invitation. The
expressions referred TO 20 TO the extent oil
declaring that l would be an unweloome
guest at the time and place OF the heIt
annual encampment. This statement is
based, as well as can Judge. upon certain
official acts OF mine involving important
interests, done under the restraints and
Obligations Of my oath Of office, which do
not appear TO accord with the wishes OF
some members Of the Grand Army OF the
Republic.
II refuse to believe that this orgsnizs-
ton, founded upon patriotic ideas. COM
posed very largely OF men entitled to last
ing honor and consideration, and whose
GROWING glory it should be that they are
American citizens Is well rs veteran sol
diers, deems il part OF its mission to
compass any object or purpote by attempt
ing TO intimidate the executive or coerce
those charged with making and execut-
ing the laws. And yet the expressions to
which have referred indicate such q
prevalence of unfriendly feeling and such
= menace to an occasion which should be
peaceful and cordial that
they cannot be ignored.
II beg you to understand that am not
Of any act OF mine which should
make me fear TO meet the Grand Army oil
the Republic, or any other assemblage OF
my fellow citizens. The account OF my
official stewardship is always ready for
presentation TO my countrymen. should
not be frank il failed to confess, while
all resentment, that ] have
been hurt by the unworthy and wanton
attacks upon me growing out OF the mat
Ter and the reckless manner in which my
actions and motives have been misrepre-
,ented, both publicly and privately. for
which, however, the Grand Army OF the
Republic, as body, is by no means re-
,ponsible.
"fhe threats OF personal violence and
harm, in case Ilundertake the trip in ques-
ion. which scores Of misguided, unbal-
Inced men under the stimulation Of excit-
ID feeling have made, are not even con
idered. Rather than abandon my visit
o the West and dssppoint your citizens,
might, il / alone we're concerned. sub
nit TO the insult. to which it is quite OPP |
My asserted / would be helplessly sub
ected IL present at the encampment; but
should bear with me there the peoples
highest Office, the dignity Of which l must
,rotect, and ! believe that neither the
irand Army OF the Republic as an organ
cation nor anything like majority of its
nembers would ever encourage any scan
lalous attack upon it. IL, however,
mong the membership Of this body there
re some, as certainly seems TO be the case,
to denounce me and my offic-
n acts ct the national encampment. be-
eve they should be permitted TO be IN
estrained by my presence as q guest OF
bis organization, or as guest OF the hos
liable city in which their meeting is held.
"A number OF Grand Army posts have
ignifed their intention, am informed,
, remain away from the encampment in
ase visit the city ct that time. Without
the merit Of such excuse l
EEL that / ought not to be the cause OF
nch non attendance. The time and place
the encampment were fixed long before
~ invitations were received. Those de-
ring to participate in the proceedings
Mould be first regarded. and nothing
nould be allowed to interfere with their
lsentiop."
The President gives as further reason
" not attending that this is the first
Getting OF the encampment in southern
ate and it is most important that nothing
Iould interfere with the harmony Of the
Getting and the good results that are like
to follow.
The President is radically wrong in
ost Of bis charges. 10 the first place be
IS never invited to attend by any officer
committee Of the National Encampment.
Q was, perhaps, invited by some OF the
cal posts OF the @. A. II. in st. Louis.
the second place, no officer OF the Ma
,nal Encampment has ever opposed bis !
81, on the ground Of any action Of his in !
$ official capacity, but on the ground
at lie is q candidate for reelection and |
e visit would in some measure, at least.
I'd to increase his chances for nomina
IN aud election. The q. A. X. being a
IN political organization, never has
sisted in any "boom" OF this kind and /.
res not wish to in this instance. 1t 10
ne that there have been sharp criticisms
the Presidents pension vetoes and bat
flag order, hut be can hardly sup
se that he is above criticism as . q
lblic Official. All presidents have been O
,re or less criticized for their acts. and I
do not see how be can expect to escape 1,
less be puts il on the ground that 'lhe /,
ig can do no wrong" He may think r
is vastly better than any president that
u went before hin, but on this point
rtion Of the American people beg leave O
differ. We can remember when some ]
Cleveland's present political friends Il